Excerpts from the Antiche Lettere Di Vino
Letters by Ser Lapo Mazzei
of the great Fonterutoli winery in Tuscany –
the first person on record to have trafficked in Chianti wine.
I.
To Postoia
Florence, October 21st, 1390
;Therefore, having spoken of the soul (even though it was not that appropriate), I shall now speak of ordinary things. I enjoy foods that are unrefined, and those help me bear the burden of maintaining a family. This year, if they arrive in Pisa, I should like a small barrel of salted anchovies;
IV.
To Prato
Grignano, September
;in tasting those excellent wines, one did nothing but laugh
VI.
To Florence
Bibbiena, April 29th, 1394
;Do not worry about the cost of that wine, even though it is expensive: its goodness revives you;
XXII.
To Bologna
Florence, August 31st, 1401
Come back when you can: and there will be chairs to sit on, and good wine to drink.
XXVII.
To Florence
Florence
I think that if you could find a wine that went well with your nature you would need no other doctor to restore your strength. So try this one before, during and after meals;and if this is not what you need, I will ask your doctor to teach me how to write even the simplest words, as if I was an ignoramus.
XXX.
To Florence
Florence
That delicate and invigorating white wine of yours, there is nothing to do but drink it immediately;.
(As read by Dean Temple on the September 22, 2005 podcast)